How the Indian Higher Education System Has Fooled and Deceived Learners and Parents for the Past Three Decades

For the past thirty years, since the advent of IT and the proliferation of IT jobs, the Indian higher education system has been riddled with systemic issues that have misled and disappointed learners and parents alike. Here are ten critical reasons highlighting these long-standing problems:

1. Huge Deficit in Quality and Quantity of Faculty Over the past three decades, the shortage of qualified faculty has persisted as a significant issue. Institutions struggle to recruit and retain skilled educators, resulting in substandard teaching and a lack of mentorship for students.
2. Age-Old Curriculums Curriculums in many Indian higher education institutions have remained largely unchanged for decades. This stagnation fails to reflect the rapid advancements in various fields, particularly in technology, leaving graduates unprepared for modern industry demands.
3. Weak Foundations Many students enter higher education without a solid foundation in fundamental concepts. This lack of preparatory education hinders their ability to engage deeply with advanced subjects, compromising their academic and professional growth.
4. Superficial Learning and Poor Degree Outcomes The autonomy granted to institutions often leads to a focus on superficial learning and easy degree acquisition rather than meaningful education. Degrees are frequently awarded without ensuring mastery of the material, resulting in graduates with poor learning outcomes.
5. Corruption and Bribery in Accreditation Accreditation bodies and committees have long been plagued by corruption. Bribery and unethical practices undermine the integrity of these institutions, allowing substandard colleges and universities to continue operating, much to the detriment of students.
6. Poor Research and Plagued PhD Programs Research output from many Indian institutions has been consistently lackluster. Research grants are often misused, and the prevalence of fake research, plagiarized papers, and fraudulent PhD degrees further tarnishes the academic reputation of these institutions.
7. Inadequate Master's Programs Master's programs have suffered from poor quality and ineffective teaching methodologies for decades. The lack of proper learner engagement and outcome-focused education diminishes the value of advanced degrees, failing to prepare graduates for specialized roles.
8. Misleading Placement Promises For years, universities and colleges have lured parents and students with promises of high placement rates. These rates are heavily influenced by market conditions rather than the quality of education provided, misleading families about the true value of the degrees offered.
9. Lack of Futuristic Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies The education system has been slow to adopt innovative and forward-thinking curriculums. Reliance on traditional teaching methods fails to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
10. Absence of Student Accountability In the commoditized and compromised education ecosystem, students are increasingly viewed as customers. This commercial approach diminishes the emphasis on accountability and academic rigor, further diluting the quality of education and eroding trust in the system.

For the past three decades, the Indian higher education system has been in urgent need of comprehensive reform. Addressing these ten critical issues is essential to restoring faith in the educational institutions and ensuring they fulfill their fundamental mission of nurturing and developing future generations.